HC Deb 26 March 1858 vol 149 cc817-8

Order for Committee read. House in Committee of Supply; Mr. FITZROY in the Chair.

(1.) £477,000, on account, Civil Services.

MR. WISE

observed, that one item in this Vote was a sum of £20,000 on account for extraordinary expenses at foreign Courts. He thought that was an alarming circumstance, as the sum now asked for was probably not more than one-third, or at all events a moiety, of the full amount that would be required. In 1851 the whole sum asked for under this head was £16,000; in 1853 it was £18,500; and in 1855 it had increased to £25,000. If the present Vote of £20,000 was only one-third or a moiety of the whole amount that would ultimately be demanded, he feared that, when the total Estimate was brought before the House, there would be some reason to complain of the extraordinary expense of our Ministers at foreign Courts.

MR. G. A. HAMILTON

was understood to say that, during the past year, some of the expenses of the Foreign Office department had been very large; but this circumstance was attributable to the extra expenditure for telegraphic despatches and Foreign Office messages; and he could assure the hon. Gentleman that every endeavour would be made to reduce the expenditure as far as possible.

Vote agreed to.

(2.) £25,000, on account, Surveys and Topographical Department.

In reply to a question from Sir HENRY WILLOUGHBY,

GENERAL PEEL

said, that unless this Vote was agreed to, it would be necessary to suspend the survey.

SIR DE LACY EVANS

was understood to ask what force of militia the Government intended to embody tills year?

GENERAL PEEL

understood the hon. and gallant Member to ask what was the strength of the embodied militia at the present moment?

SIR DE LACY EVANS

said, the right hon. Gentleman had misunderstood his question. He wished to know what number of militia was to be called out for training this year?

GENERAL PEEL

had already informed the House that it was not at present the intention of the Government to call out any regiments of militia for training.

SIR DE LACY EVANS

was understood to ask, whether the militia regiments at present embodied were to be continued on service?

GENERAL PEEL

replied, that the maintenance of the regiments at present embodied would depend in a great measure upon the recruiting for the regular army; but the militia would be gradually disembodied as the force of the army was increased.

SIR DENHAM NORREYS

asked, whether, if the Vote was agreed to, the mode of proceeding with the survey sanctioned by that House last Session would be continued until the House determined otherwise?

GENERAL PEEL

Certainly.

Vote agreed to.

House resumed; Resolutions to be reported on Monday, 12th April.